Chapter 21: Testing Techniques Against the World

Feng Yi stepped out of the cabin, seeing that the shore was still over twenty zhang away, he seized a long pole, took a deep breath, his body shot like an arrow from a bow, and with a swoosh he leapt into the river.

Internal strength is the foundation of all martial arts; once Feng Yi's Divine Illumination Skill was accomplished, his inner force became so profound that hardly anyone under heaven could match him.

That leap carried him about five zhang; his true qi faltered and he began to fall into the river, he thrust the long pole into the water surface, caught his breath, and sprang up again like a hawk, borrowing momentum to jump another three or four zhang.

At that moment he was still ten zhang from the shore, but each time, just as his body was about to land but not yet, he tapped the long pole on the water surface, took another breath, and rose into the air.

On the shore, a group of sturdy men in tight-fitting clothes, some sitting, some standing, holding weapons, suddenly spotted a human figure appearing on the river; in the moonlight it looked like a wisp of smoke drifting over, and they all stared dumbfounded.

In the blink of an eye, Feng Yi, like a goose flying and a hawk swooping, had skimmed across the river to the shore, his long pole waving continuously, the pole bearing a strong wind, his moves fierce and swift.

Only hearing a few "pak" sounds, several sturdy men cried out in pain as Feng Yi struck their wrists, their weapons dropping.

Everyone shouted in unison and hastily retreated, then saw a person land on the dock as if a flying general.

Upon closer look, he appeared to be under twenty, tall and slender, clad in a blue robe, wearing a square headcloth, waist bound with a pale white wide sash, nose straight and face well-proportioned, his appearance handsome and graceful, exuding a carefree confidence that struck straight into the hearts of those present.

Feng Yi had originally drifted among gangs, his skin rough and dark from wind and sun; but after his Divine Illumination Skill reached perfection, in just a few days not only did his qi and blood become abundant, his skin also grew smooth and tender, his looks subtly improved.

Moreover, before Feng Yi and Ding Ding boarded the boat, Ling Shuanghua had already tidied them up; in her words: "Speech overwhelms the gentleman, attire awes the petty."

Even though Feng Yi had injured someone at first sight, these men did not rush to anger; they merely fixed their gaze on him, yet the tense atmosphere added an eerie feeling.

A man wielding a spiked club slammed the butt of his staff, speaking in a loud, rough voice: "Who are you? Why did you strike and hurt people?"

Whether from his lightness skill or his appearance and bearing, Feng Yi made them dare not offend him lightly; even a coarse fellow learned to speak in a refined, hesitant manner.

Feng Yi glanced from left to right, seeing that these men wore uniform tight clothing but carried assorted weapons, indeed they were all members of the Dongting Gang; he gave that man a sidelong look and said, "Tang Lao San, it's only been a short while since we last met, and you don't recognize me?"

Tang Lao San stared at Feng Yi, feeling that aside from this man being somewhat familiar in face...

At that moment a thin, monkey‑like fellow with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes shifted his gaze, speaking in a goose‑like voice: "Ah, you're Feng Yi!"

Those words instantly caused an uproar; everyone grabbed their weapons and swarmed forward.

Tang Lao San burst out laughing: "So you're Feng Yi — after three years apart, you've become quite the dandy……"

Feng Yi gave a faint cold smile, his form flickering, his left hand snatching Tang Lao San's chest and lifting him up.

Tang Lao San was big and tall, but once Feng Yi grabbed him he was as limp as a noodle.

At that moment five men behind him brandished spears, single‑edged swords and other weapons, striking at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi casually tossed Tang Lao aside, without looking back, and barked: "Get down."

Sweeping the long pole behind him with his palm, a few "plunk" sounds rang out; the three men behind him obediently followed his gesture, shouting loudly as they fell far into the river.

In front, a series of "thud" sounds echoed as Tang Lao San smashed into three men; they all vomited blood, their eyes bulging, and died instantly.

"The Divine Illumination Skill is a supreme internal art of the metal element; after Feng Yi mastered it, his inner force was vast and mighty, reaching everywhere — a sweep of his bamboo pole sent the three men behind him flying."

When he seized Tang Lao San, a single grasp shook him to death; throwing him out, his palm brimmed with inner force, and anyone struck by it instantly suffered torn tendons and broken bones.

Over ten sturdy men who had intended to rush forward, upon seeing this, all halted their steps and glanced toward the man with the goose voice. Tang Lao San and the goose‑voiced man were both hall masters of the Dongting Gang, their subordinates possessing some skill, yet in Feng Yi's hands they seemed like children, and they all felt fear.

Feng Yi had merely tested his blade, yet he had already injured several men, feeling completely at ease, his heroic spirit soaring; he shouted loudly: "Chen Fei, you wanted the secret manual, didn't you? Come up and take it!"

His voice rolled like thunder, shaking the crowd until they felt dizzy and blurred.

Chen Fei and Tang Lao San had seen Feng Yi before, never expecting him to be this formidable; their hearts leapt with alarm, they clasped fists and said: "Brother Feng, it's been a while……"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly felt a sharp wind, a chill in his chest, and his body was wracked with intense pain; looking down, he saw a bamboo pole pierce straight through his chest.

The pole was merely a bamboo stick, but in Feng Yi's hands it became like a spear or halberd; he lifted Chen Fei's blood‑soaked body with the pole and said coldly: "How dare you claim to be my brother with such worth?"

Jerking the pole back, Chen Fei's eyes rolled upward, he spat a mouthful of blood with a "puff", made a "gurgle", and collapsed dead.

Feng Yi's such divine might terrified the crowd to the point of near‑death, they panicked and lost color; a few timid ones shouted and fled at once.

Whatever Ding Dian, Feng Yi, or the Divine Illumination Skill — nothing mattered more than one's own life.

Feng Yi gave a cold snort, then hurled the long pole like a javelin; with a few "puff" sounds, three people were skewered straight through like candied haws.

The remaining people, who had also wanted to run, now had faces ashen, cold sweat pouring, not knowing whether to advance or flee.

Feng Yi clapped his hands and said lightly: "Go tell your chief that if you want the secret manual, come yourself — don't send lackeys to die."

Besides, pass along this message: I, Feng Yi, will test my techniques against the world; the martial arts realm awaits instruction at any time. Just one thing — those who come had better bring their lives with them!

Feng Yi raised his hand: "All right, go!"

He too had risen from the ranks of lackeys, knowing what it means to be compelled; killing a few to establish authority, his aim was achieved.

Upon hearing this, those men felt as if pardoned, only regretting their parents hadn't given them two extra legs, and they vanished in a puff of smoke.

Feng Yi patted the corpses of Tang Lao San and Chen Fei, finding a few banknotes and loose silver; he couldn't help but chuckle, muttering: "Sure enough, with martial arts, money is everywhere."

He now had no money on him, so he needed to scrape together some travel funds, making do with what was at hand.

Feng Yi laughed heartily, stuffed the money into his pocket, strode away, and soon disappeared into the night.

In an instant, only a few corpses remained on the dock, and silence returned.

Ling Shuanghua and Ding Dian, after Feng Yi left, had been watching; she saw his strikes were like lightning, not knowing what method he used, and those people soon lay motionless on the ground.

Truly, killing them was like cutting grass.

Ling Shuanghua couldn't help but glance at Ding Dian, thinking: "Elder Brother Ding hopes Feng Yi will establish himself upright and proper, but he is so ruthless in his methods, I fear he will betray all this painstaking effort!"

She did not know that Ding Dian actually thought Feng Yi was not ruthless enough! If it were him, he would have killed every one of those men! After all, he understood a principle.

This is because Feng Yi is strong; if his martial prowess were lacking and they captured him, these men, seeking the secret manual, would torture him, putting him in a life‑or‑death bind! But he also knew that, to divert trouble, Feng Yi must keep a survivor; if they were all killed, others would have no trace of him for a while, and he and his wife would remain trapped in the vortex with no escape.

(End of chapter)